Summary, Glossary

SUMMARY

• Nineteenth century India encountered a process of introspection among Indian intellectuals due to the colonial intervention and the rise of rationalism. This led to the Indian renaissance.

• In Tamil Nadu, the proliferation of the printing press acted as a catalyst for the publication and spread of secular ancient Tamil literature.

• Tamil scholars in the nineteenth century worked hard to publish Tamil classics.

• The transformation not only revived Tamil language and literature. It challenged the prevailing caste hierarchy.

• The Justice Party established in 1916 voiced the problems of non-Brahmin in the Madras Presidency.

• Periyar E.V. Ramasamy, the pioneer of the Self-Respect Movement, critiqued fundamentalism and promoted rationalism among people.

• Ultimately, the rational ideas of Tamil Nadu became a model for constructive developments of the modern Indian state.

GLOSSARY

evangelical: Christian groups that believe that the teaching of the Bible and persuading others to join them is extremely important சுவிசேஷர்கள், நற்சய்தியாளர்

hegemony: leadership or dominance, especially by one country or social group over others மேலாதிக்கம்

resurgence: renewal, revival எழுச்சி

linguists: a person skilled in languages

marginalised: a person, group concept treated as insignificant or sidelined ஒதுக்கப்பட்ட

irked: irritated, annoyed எரிச்சலூட்டும்

debunking: expose the falseness or hollowness of (a myth, idea or belief) ஒழித்துக்கடடும்

trounced: defeat heavily in a contest

critiquing: evaluate in a detailed and analytical way விமரசிப்பது

iniquitous: grossly unfair and morally wrong அநீதியான

pseudonym: a fictitious name, especially one used by an author புனைபெபயர்

rechristened: give a new name to பெபயரிடப்பட்டு